I am beginner and I'm not ashamed to admit it because everyone has to start some where, lol. I've found an opening as White that I'm comfortable with, but I am having a real hard time finding an opening for Black that can play. The reason for this is that at least at my low level, none of my White opponents seem to want to play "normal" openings, which makes it hard for me to play a "normal" opening either. 9 times out of 10 they'll try and give me the "fools mate" which dictates the opening I can use. Or they''ll play something totally off the wall like my last opponent did, opening with B3, and then to my C5, following up with G3. Certainly not "main stream" to say the least!!! These kinds of things make it really hard to find an opening as Black that I'm comfortable with. Of course I could play against much higher rated opponents who use more "standard" openings, but getting my clock cleaned every time I play isn't too appealing either, lol. Which brings me to the purpose of this post, I wanted to ask if there is any good "all terrain" opening I can use for Black that would be valid against the "normal" openings as well as the "off the wall" openings??? I don't mind playing as Black at all like some do, but it is getting rather frustrating trying to learn a decent opening I can feel comfortable with when everyone I play with seems to want to get a "cheap" win with "fools mate" or make opening moves that aren't even listed in the data bases!!! Thanks in advance, H.G.

The first-move advantage in chess is the inherent advantage of the player (called White) who makes the first move in chess. Chess players and theorists generally agree that White begins the game with some advantage....Unlike Fool's Mate, which rarely occurs at any level, games ending in Scholar's Mate are quite common among beginners.By the way the most common opening in white is e4 e5So If you see the... 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4, if Black continues 3... Nf6? then White can end the game immediately with 4. Qxf7#. However, Black can easily avoid the mate: either 3... Qe7 or 3... g6 defend against the threat. If White renews the Qxf7 threat after 3... g6 4. Qf3, Black can easily defend by 4... Nf6, and develop his bishop later via fianchetto to g7.if you want to be a good player then you have to play with good players,watch/analysis the games and do more practice..there are a lots of opening in chesss..when you are watching someone's game see the opening's move and the defense moves. that helps you to improve your chess skills.

Thank you very much for responding knightattack, and you were right, it was Scholar's Mate that I was talking about, I don´t know why I thought it was Fools Mate!! I am going to check out those links that you posted, but I was wondering if you had one for the Center Counter Defence?? I read that it was good opening for beginners playing black because there is not a whole lot of theory to learn. It also looks like fun because the action begins almost from the very start Thanks again, H.G.

Center Counter DefenceOne of the oldest chess openings, the scandinavian defense, black immediately challenges the center from white's e4 with d5. After white recaptures black has two options to respond. Black can immediately recapture with his queen and reach equality in material or play Nf6 and try to gain a spacial and developmental advantage. If black chooses for Nf6 both sides need to keep their eyes open as there are many small traps that both sides can fall for that will destroy their position.

Thank you once again knightattack, it looks like you are no stranger to the Center Counter Defence, lol. I have watched the video several times, and really enjoyed it. I think I like the Bronstein Varitation to try and learn because while the Queen is still active, she's a little farther back from the action than the other variations. What's your take on the Bronstein?? H.G.

Lol, talk about more Bronstein for your buck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I´ll never need another variation again as Black, lol. If there is ever a contest for ¨mod of the year¨ let me know where to vote, lol. However, there is one thing I am confused about. I thought the Bronstein Variation against e4 is Qd6 after Nc3 and not Qa5 as occurs in the example in your last post. Before I start any heavy duty studying, I want to make sure I´ve got it right. What I liked about Qd6 is that while she´s still influencing the board, she´s farther away from the ¨front lines¨ as with Qa5. If it isn´t too much trouble, could you please clarify this point for me. Thanks a ton, you´ve really gone out of your way to help, H.G.

First of all when white moves e4 and you move d5 after that exd5..next good move is Qxd5..if you move Qd6..then you are slightly down..and after that the next move of white is Nc3..so my openion is you have to move Qxd5...

So on move 3 after capturing with the Queen, when white attacks with the knight, you pull her back to d6, which I felt was safer than leaving her on a5. Sorry for not explaining myself properly the first time, but back to the original question. Isn´t this the Bronstein variation, or have I totally gotten mixed up again?? H.G.